Friday, October 3, 2008
A Hole in the "iReport" World?
Although this isn't exactly local, I think the topic certainly should be on the radar of all news organizations. National news networks and in some areas even local stations invite viewers to submit video clips and other news items to use for air. It has been called citizen journalism. For the most part, it is limited to viewers giving their opinions, like for instance, on the debate last night. However, a recent report on CNN's iReport had impact on Apple's stock price. Like other sites, viewers can submit their stories and make it on the CNN iReport site. For the most part they do not make it to air. This morning a story hit the site saying Apple's Steve Jobs was rushed to the hospital after a heart attack. Apple reps say it did NOT happen. It may not have made it onto CNN TV, however Apple's stock price took a big fall after the story hit "iReport" and until it could be determined it wasn't true. Here is an account of the incident. On the iReport site is a slogan, "Unedited. UnFiltered. News." It should be noted that although the site may be owned by the company owning CNN and says it is powered by CNN, the site says that CNN, "makes no guarantees about the content or the coverage on ireport.com!" I think some who go to these "citizen" input sites may assume these sites would take these submissions by "citizen journalists" as a traditional media source would and check it out with sources before publishing, broadcasting or posting, but not in this case. That's why media literacy is key more than ever. Citizen journalism may be fine for the opinions of so called "normal Joe's," but I think using the submissions for hard news stories unfiltered is irresponsible at this time. It is also an example where citizen journalism puts the responsibility of deciding fact or fiction solely on the reader. One may say that has always been the case, but now its true more than ever. -Hal
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4 comments:
The commercialization of news means the industry will always be looking for the latest fad to exploit. CNN's Rick Sanchez now does the afternoon news with MySpace and Facebook at his side. Just because people use these sites, do they want them as part of their newscast? Maybe. But if that is what it takes to get young people to care about the news, we're in trouble- not just as an industry, but as a country.
I think this makes that "gatekeeper" argument you had in college all the more valid. Yes, you have more information (and video) to work with -- but what makes it newsworthy? As a producer, I would look at it and say "It's great video, let's use it." But as a reporter or anchor, I would look at it and say "Why do our viewers need to know this?" You have everyone out there using a camera these days, but not everyone has the journalism background. It's a dangerous slope... we want to give as much information as we can. But we have to make sure it's the right kind.
Memo to the low-level employees (apparently) that read this blog: Hal has hit on a hot topic that we should be discussion with interest. This is going to influence us as we move forward, and you should have thoughts about it. It's not all about "my station is better than your station." Sometimes, we're all in the same boat. And the more we realize that, the better we will attack the future of this business.
Anon: 9:21,
You raise one of the most critical issues in Media today. Most importantly, you are asking the right QUESTIONS. KEEP asking those questions, and the answers will take care of themselves. You won't get objectively "correct" answers. Thats not the point--this is all about subjectivity.
But every time you ASK those questions in your newsroom, you promote a higher quality product. And you serve your station and your viewer well. I wish you well and hope you work in my newsroom.
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